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With the exception of the Barclays Premier League (which doubles down on the number of matches), the other elite European leagues have shut down for the Christmas window. During this period in which the clubs can rest, relax, evaluate, and prepare for the opening of the transfer window in January, we at The18 wanted to take stock of where things stand at the intermission:
La Liga (Spain):
Matches Resume January 3, 2015
Where Things Stand:
It’s all about Los Blancos, as Real Madrid sits top of the league with 39 points and an incredible +42 goal differential through 15 matches. Oh, and they have a game-in-hand over second-place Barcelona. Coming off a victorious Club World Cup, looking dominant domestically and in the Champions League, there’s not much that a Real Madrid fan needs to ask for this holiday season. Right now, it’s good to be a Real Madrid fan. And, if this statue is remotely to scale…it’s also good to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend.
"My girlfriend steals my CR7 boxers all the time." Photo: @theNETng | Twitter
For Madrid’s arch-rival, Barcelona, things look a bit more uncertain. Though the club won 5-0 against Cordoba in its last match before the break, Barcelona has not looked capable of keeping up with Madrid so far this season domestically. Barcelona also has a very difficult Champions League draw with Manchester City coming up in February. But there is reason for the Catalans to remain hopeful, as summer signing Luis Suarez scored his first league goal over the weekend and looks to be finally settling in with the club. There are a lot of matches left in this campaign and it is difficult to feel sorry for a club with Barcelona’s pedigree and talent on the pitch. They’ll be fine.
Storyline To Focus On:
Just like last year, it is shaping up as a three-horse race for the La Liga title with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid. To use Jose Mourinho’s terminology, the unquestionable “little horse” in this race is Atlético Madrid. Despite having Chelsea poach three starters from last year’s league-winning and Champions League runner-up squad (Filipe Luis, Diego Costa, and Thibaut Courtois…perhaps you’ve heard of them), Atlético find themselves only 3 points behind Barcelona and 4 behind Madrid at the break. The more Atlético can keep pace with the big boys in La Liga, the more it will quiet rumors that manager Diego Simeone, understandably a hot commodity given the club’s performance the last two years, will be looking to ply his trade at a bigger club, whether it’s in Spain or elsewhere.
But have no fear Atlético fans, the cavalry is on the way, as there are rumors Atlético could bring back former player Fernando Torres in January. This is great news for fans of scuffed chances and forlorn glances.
Bundesliga (Germany):
Matches Resume: January 30, 2015
The European league with by far the longest break is the German Bundesliga, which takes over a month off to allow its players to recharge. Perhaps this is why the German National Team does so well during the summer international competitions? Take note, English FA.
Where Things Stand:
Bayern Munich, shockingly, sits in first place with an 11 point lead over second-place Wolfsburg. And that’s with several of its key players missing months of action (Ribery, Lahm, Schweinsteiger) so far this season. Though the season is only half over and we am always reticent to declare something over this quickly…it’s over. Bayern is winning the league, the only questions are whether it will go undefeated domestically and how it will do in the Champions League.
Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia Monchengladbach currently occupy the other Champions League qualification positions, with Schalke and Augsburg only trailing by goal difference. That will be the real battle of the second-half of the campaign.
Storyline To Focus On:
Borussia Dortmund. Currently in 17th position (out of 18) and tied at the bottom on points, it has been quite a freefall for the Black and Yellows. Their manager, Jürgen Klopp, is already talking about moving on to the next club and how much he’ll miss the Dortmund fans. Their two best players, Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, may leave as soon as the January transfer window. Could this side, a team that was runner-up in the league last year and runner-up in the Champions League the year before, really get relegated? It seems too insane to consider, but this is no early-season struggle. We’re at the halfway point in the season, so Dortmund needs to get serious. Perhaps refraining from selling your best players to your top rival would help. Just a thought.
Seria A (Italy)
Matches Resume: January 5, 2015
Where Things Stand:
Juventus (the “Old Lady”) sits atop the table at 39 points with a 3 point lead over AS Roma. Lazio, Napoli, and Sampdoria are all tied with 27 points, separated only by goal differential, which currently has Lazio in Champions League qualifying with the other two clubs destined for the Europa League.
Juve has won the league 3 years running and at the break is the favorite to make it 4. With a sizable gap between its competitors, it seems to be a two-horse race between Juve and Roma. Whether Roma can end Juve’s run at the top will depend entirely on the January transfer window and the health of each squad down the stretch. Both squads are still playing European football, but Roma’s loss against Manchester City in the final match of the group stage means it will be competing in the Europa League from here on out. The longer Roma stays in the competition, the more those Thursday fixtures could tax Roma’s squad domestically.
Storyline To Focus On:
Where have ye gone Milan? The northern Italian city used to be the hub of Italian football where championships were decided. Yet both AC (7th) and Internazionale (11th) are languishing this season. Inter has already fired its manager Walter Mazzarri and brought back Roberto Mancini, who previously managed the club from 2004 to 2008 (winning 3 Seria A titles). Mancini was fired for his inability to advance the club in the Champions League, but the Board is so desperate now they would take simply qualifying for the competition at this point.
At AC, new manager Filippo Inzaghi, a former striker at the club, has the club playing a more aggressive style, but so far that has not translated into the results the Board expects. AC is anxious to unload Fernando Torres in January and bring in further assistance up front to get back into the Champions League. Perhaps Roma’s Mattia Destro? Any time you get the opportunity to bring in someone that is named after a G.I. Joe character, you have to do it.
Overall, there are a lot of interesting storylines throughout Europe as we reach each league’s Christmas break. While the Bundesliga is probably already decided, the other two leagues will feature competitive races for the title as well as other storylines to keep your interest.
Follow Mike Smith on Twitter @thefootiegent
